🔗 Share this article

The Prime Minister has criticized the shadow justice secretary's remarks about not seeing another white face in areas of Handsworth, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer implied that his comments were linked to a stealth Conservative leadership campaign and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the area of Handsworth.

It’s quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seriously; he’s clearly still running his leadership campaign.

The shadow justice secretary has been criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite criticism from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Local Response and Defense

Starmer, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had agreed with Street's criticisms of Jenrick.

• Street had stated to the media the remarks were wrong and portrayed the area as a very integrated place.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, Starmer said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

The Conservative leader, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities.

However, she added on BBC Breakfast: In my opinion, the discussion should not focus on the number or appearance of individuals seen on streets.

Internal Divisions

The shadow chancellor became the initial high-ranking Conservative to distance himself from his colleague over the comments, telling a Politico fringe event that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly informed journalists at the event that he stood by the comments and did not resile from them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that we have to have as a country about integration.

When a reporter suggested that his remarks could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Original Statements

In his original remarks, Jenrick said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was recording in the area he didn’t see another white face.

This is not the nation I desire to reside in. I prefer a country with proper integration. Skin color or religion is not the issue—naturally not. However, I advocate for people coexisting together, not leading separate existences. That is not the ideal lifestyle for our country.